Istanbul has a new interim mayor. Nuri Aslan has been elected to take over from Ekrem Imamoglu, who is currently in prison on corruption charges. Aslan is a member of Imamoglu’s Republican People’s Party (CHP) and will serve for the rest of Imamoglu’s term while he awaits trial.
The decision was reported by local media, including NTV and Anadolu. In the voting process, Aslan received 173 votes in the first round, while his opponent, Zeynel Abidin Okul from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AK Party), got 123 votes. In the second round, Aslan garnered 177 votes to Okul’s 125. Since neither candidate achieved the required two-thirds majority, a third round was held, which also ended with Aslan winning 177 votes against Okul’s 125, allowing him to be elected.
CHP chairman Ozgur Ozel praised the election, saying it blocked Erdogan’s attempt to appoint a trustee to the municipality. He emphasized that the struggle would extend beyond Istanbul, but the city would remain a focal point. Aslan, acknowledging his temporary role, expressed hope that Imamoglu would return soon.
This leadership change comes amid ongoing protests across Turkey following Imamoglu’s detention. Demonstrators have taken to the streets daily, despite police crackdowns that have led to over 1,400 arrests, including journalists. The protests erupted after Imamoglu was arrested on March 19 during a corruption and “terrorism” investigation, which his supporters have labeled a political coup. Although the terrorism charge has been set aside for now, public unrest has continued.
President Erdogan has dismissed the protests as “street terror,” asserting that his government will not be swayed by what he calls provocations from the opposition. He insists that the legal actions against Imamoglu are not politically motivated and claims that Turkey’s judicial system is independent.
The protests have seen large crowds defy bans in major cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. While the CHP has decided not to call for another protest outside the mayor’s office on Wednesday, previous demonstrations have often turned violent, with clashes between protesters and riot police. This situation has raised concerns among human rights organizations about the government’s response to dissent.